Blog

Corruption
By Isaac Aregbesola
New York, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Government is committed to winning the war against corruption in Nigeria.

Buhari said this  in New York at the African Union High-Level Dialogue  with the theme: “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president was unanimously endorsed by AU leaders in January to champion the commission’s theme for 2018.

Buhari commended African leaders for the honour bestowed on him to champion the course of fighting corruption in Africa in 2018 and beyond.

The president, however,  urged African leaders to also remain committed to the fight against corruption to ensure rapid development of the continent.

According to Buhari,  Africa loses about 50 billion dollars to illicit financial flow annually.

“Illicit financial flow out of the continent has become a major concern because of the scale of its negative effects on economic development and governance agenda.

“Some of the effects of corruption include draining of foreign exchange reserves, reduction of tax revenue collection, poor investment inflow and escalation of poverty,” he said.

He said that efforts were being made by  African leaders to checkmate the illicit financial flow from the continent

Buhari said that one of the measures necessary if Africa was to make headway in the fight against corruption, was to evolve  laws and policies which encourage transparent financial transactions.

He said that another measure was to ensure implementation of  measures  that would  mitigate the incentive that facilitate the illegal outflow of funds from the continent.

The president  called on the leaders to organise African youth conferences against corruption in order to sensitise  the youth on the fight against corruption

He also called for the mobilisation of African Union member states to implement the convention on combating corruption.

The president advocated the strengthening of the criminal justice system against corruption and boost  exchange of information sharing best  practices in the fight against corruption.

The AU Chair person,  Mousa Faki,  commended Buhari  for his resolve to fight  corruption,  stressing that it was not by accident that he was appointed to champion the campaign.

Faki described corruption as a cancer that had eaten deep into the fabric of the continent.

He said corruption and illicit financial flow had  hindered investment and deterred the growth of the continent.

“Corruption in all dimensions  discourages investment flow, creates  inequality, escalates  poverty and increases  public expenditure,” he said. (NAN)
IAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

League Cup: Magnificent Hazard ends Liverpool’s 100% start as West Ham, Arsenal stroll

League Cup

Liverpool (UK), Sept 26, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) The brilliance of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard ended Liverpool’s 100 per cent start to the season as Maurizio Sarri’s side enjoyed a 2-1 win at Anfield in the League Cup third round on Wednesday.

Liverpool have started with six wins in the Premier League and a victory in the Champions League but they were knocked out by a superb solo goal from Hazard in the 85th minute.

Former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, who had earlier missed an open goal, put Liverpool in front in the 58th minute with an acrobatic volley after Willy Caballero parried out Naby Keita’s drive.

Emerson levelled for Chelsea in the 79th, slotting home after Simon Mignolet parried out a Ross Barkley header from a free kick whipped in by Hazard.

The goal was reviewed by VAR but ruled as fair although Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp felt it should have been disallowed for offside.

Sturridge then struck the bar with a fine effort from distance but it was Chelsea who struck the decisive blow.

“It’s a fantastic goal. Not only the beauty of it but for the time he scored it,” Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola said.

“Not only is he one of the best in the Premier League – if not the best – but he is one of the best in Europe and the world.

“In my opinion we haven’t seen the best of him yet. He’s remarkable,” he added.
The two teams face each other at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the Premier League.

Elsewhere, West Ham United hammered fourth tier (League Two) Macclesfield Town 8-0 for their biggest win since 1983.

Grady Diangana and Robert Snodgrass both scored twice as West Ham ripped apart the Cheshire side who are bottom of League Two without a win this season.

In an all-Premier League tie, Tottenham Hotspur progressed to the last 16 by beating Watford 4-2 on penalties after the game, played in Milton Keynes, ended 2-2.

Isaac Success had given Watford the lead in the 46th minute but Spurs looked to have grabbed the win thanks to a Dele Alli penalty in the 82nd minute and Erik Lamela’s goal four minutes later.

But Etienne Capoue’s 89th-minute drive took the game to penalties, only for Capoue and Domingos Quina to fail to convert their spot-kicks.

Alli didn’t fail to wrap up victory for Spurs.

Danny Welbeck scored twice as Arsenal beat Championship Brentford 3-1.
After the former Manchester United striker put the Gunners 2-0 up, Alan Judge brought Brentford back into the game but Alexandre Lacazette made sure of the win for Arsenal.

In an all-Championship match, Nottingham Forest beat Stoke City 3-2 despite having Diogo Goncalves sent off 13 minutes from time. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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Boss Mustapha visits Omisore in Ile-Ife

Omisore

By Dorcas Elusogbon

Ile-Ife (Osun), Sept 26, 2018 (NAN) The Secretary to the Government of Federation, Barr Boss Mustapha, has visited Sen Iyiola Omisore in Ile-Ife.

Mustapha came with Ekiti Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who has been to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) gubernatorial aspirant, Sen Omisore’s house, three times in the last 24 hours.

Mustapha’s visit came after another visit by an APC delegation, comprising four state governors, Fayemi and the national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

The SGF told a Pressmen that Omisore has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he plays politics of maturity.

He said that his visit was beyond politics as he married from Osun State.

He described Omisore as his in-law.

“Omisore has been exemplified among other leaders because of the pivotal role played in the establishment of democracy in Nigeria.

“Honestly, Omisore needs to be commended, should forget all that happened in the past and come together to build our state and nation at large” he stated.

In his response, Omisore lauded his visitors and other supporters throughout his journey so far in politics.

Omisore appealed to all voters to cast their vote to their right choice and maintain peaceful coexistence in the rerun election. (NAN)

EDA/08131894944

Strike

Abakaliki, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Wednesday, said that he was not perturbed by the industrial action threat by workers in the state, especially such from staff of the state-owned higher institutions.

Umahi disclosed this during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), its affiliate unions and managements of the state-owned tertiary institutions over the disbursement of the second tranche of N7.6billion-Paris Club refund to the state.

The governor remarked that the threat did not bother him as it was the legitimate right of the workers to make agitations but advised that it should be done peacefully.

“The state-owned institutions for instance, are autonomous and instead of embarking on strike, I feel that the workers should instead dialogue with their managements to find solutions to their problems.

“The government does not inquire how the institutions manage their funds because it has problems managing its own funds and spends 10 per cent of its gross earnings on the institutions.

“The institutions are at liberty to recruit or reduce their staff but the government’s own duty is to offer subventions in which the state ranks the highest in the country.

“In a situation where you embark on strike, we will transfer the students to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo and use the augmentation due to you to pay their fees,” he said.

The governor noted that N1.56 billion had been allotted to workers from the second tranche of the refund, noting that it could either be used for the contributory pension scheme or health insurance scheme.

“We can use the funds to offset what the government and the workers are supposed to pay from the contributory pension scheme because both sides do not have the ability to pay the funds.

“This will ensure the commencement of the pension scheme but you can still deploy it for the National Health Insurance Scheme if it is convenient for you,” he said.

He noted that the first tranche of N8.3 billion was put in a fixed deposit account, pending the appropriation for its usage by the state House of Assembly.

“The government received an interest of N700 million within the period the money was fixed as its policy is to fix any fund that would stay over 24 hours in the bank before being used.

“We have generated over N3billion within three years of our administration as interests from fixing such funds and I will never cheat civil servants or tamper with their funds even at the point of death,” he said.

“We gave the Local Government Areas N2.9 billion which was used to pay over 40 per cent of gratuities, offset pensions and workers’ salaries.

“The state government used N4.6billion to also pay over 40 per cent of gratuities, outstanding pensions, promotion arrears and leave allowances,” he said.

Mr Leonard Nkah, Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state thanked the governor for his favourable disposition towards workers which had enhanced the relationship between government and workers.

“This is the first government that will grant workers audience to discuss pressing issues and ensure the payment of their salaries before the 15 of every month.

“We however, suggest that funds appropriated to workers for the Paris club refund be used to commence the contributory pension scheme while the health insurance scheme will follow suit.

“We however, make special case for the parliamentary staff workers union and the review of arrears of promotion and leave allowances due to workers,” he said.

Chief Frank Ogbuewu, Pro Chancellor of the EBSU, which received N1.1 billion from the second tranche called on the government to grant the institution more autonomy to run its affairs.

“We assure you that our staff will not embark on strike because they are more mature presently as no one wants to stay without salaries nowadays,” he said. (NAN)

RCO/GOM/MNA
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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Maureen Atuonwu

Appointment

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) Mr Mustapha Suleiman has assumed office as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday,  Sept. 24, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Dr Tope Elias-Fatile has said.

Fatile in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja,  said Suleiman’s deployment to the ministry followed the retirement of the immediate past Permanent Secretary, Amb. Olukunle Bamgbose, after 35 years in service.

“Until his deployment to the ministry, he was the Permanent Secretary of the Career Management Office in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

“He is an accomplished public servant with an extensive experience in Human Resource Management, Special Procurement, Logistics, Planning and Research.

“He is a graduate of Sociology from Bayero University, Kano, with Master’s degrees in Sociology, which he obtained from the University of Jos and in Industrial and Labour Relations, from the University of Ibadan.

“He also holds an Advanced Personnel Management Certificate from the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Badagry, Lagos,” he said.

According to him, Suleiman joined the Federal Civil Service in 1991, after serving with the Kano State Institute for Higher Education. From 1997 to 2012,

“He served as Director Administration at the State House, during which he actively participated in the organisation of State Visits, Summits and Conferences hosted by Nigeria.

“He was on the Presidential delegation to several sessions of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and to the G.15 Summit of 2001 in Indonesia.

“He had served as a member of Inter-Ministerial Planning Committees for ECOWAS summits, Africa-South America summit, Africa-German Forum, Presidential inaugurations and Nigeria at 50 celebration, among others.

He said that Suleiman was deployed from the State House to the Federal Civil Service Commission where he served as Director of Policy, Research and Statistics.(NAN)

IAA/AAB/AFA

Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Felix Ajide

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South Sudan Peace talk: Nigeria calls for cantonment of warring factions

Peace
By Isaac Aregbesola
New York, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) Federal Government in its bid to ensure permanent peace in the South Sudan has called for establishment of cantonment for the soldiers of the different factions.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, made the call on Wednesday in New York at the end of revitalisation meeting on peace agreement between the warring parties in South Sudan.

The meeting was part of the activities at the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York.

South Sudan was engulfed in violence in December 2013 when internal wrangles within its ruling party SPLM turned violent.

The conflict had since led to displacement of millions of people.

On August 5, the warring parties in South Sudan signed an agreement, which initiated the formation of another power-sharing government.

The previous power-sharing government collapsed in July 2016, and the violence since then spread throughout the country.

Onyeama said:“What I pointed out was the issue of cantonment of the soldiers of the different factions.

“That is it is absolutely important to maintain a body that will supervise and ensure that they are well and securely cantoned and trying to form national army out of that

“We know it is going to cost money, resources have to be made available and we have to build trust and the culture of discipline has to be restored.

“So, the international community agreed that we have to remain very vigilant and encourage the parties that have come together to ensure that the peace agreement is maintained.”

The warring parties, he said, were South Sudan President Salva Kiir, and South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar.

The minister explained that the meeting was attended by the countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) plus.

He said that the countries comprises the nations around South Sudan like Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Sudan itself as well as UK, EU, US. and Chad Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa.

According to him, these are the countries that have been trying to help to broker peace in South Sudan and maintain the peace.

He said that the Wednesday meeting was to discuss the way forward and how to maintain peace in South Sudan.

“We have seen a lot of agreements in the past but were not maintained, that they have to go back into fighting most often the women and children are the most affected people

“The main challenge is to maintain the peace because we have seen so many agreements in the past that have all been broken and all led to huge loss of lives and property.

“The parties have agreed to maintain peace but we have to be vigilant.

“We have seen in the past that three months or four months into it, they will break it; so that is a real challenge this time,” he said.

Onyeama said that most of the countries that are big players in peace broker in South Sudan are working round the clock to keep the peace.

According to him, Uganda is a big player, Rwanda, Kenya and Ethiopia, they have a regional force there.

“Countries like Nigeria, Algeria, Chad South Africa, U.S. Norway, UK, EU, UN are all working together to keep the peace,” he said.(NAN)
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Edited by Felix Ajide

Vote-buying
By David Adeoye
Iseyin(Oyo state), Sept. 26, 2018(NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has implored the traditional rulers in Oke Ogun area of Oyo state to enjoin their subjects to shun vote buying during 2010 general elections.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC), Mr Mutiu Agboke, made the appeal at an enlarged stakeholders’ forum at Iseyin on Wednesday.

He said selling or buying of votes was inimical to democratic governance, adding that selling one’s vote for a token amounted to mortgaging good governance or selling one’s future or mortgaging

He urged the leaders in the 10 local government areas in Oke-Ogun zone to sensitise their people the area to the need to resist temptations from unscrupulous politicians bent on buying their votes.

“ Your vote is your right to elect credible leaders that can serve your interest and bring development to your area,” he stated.

The REC further urged registered voters to endeavour to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)  to be able to perform their civic responsibilities during the 2019 general elections.

According to him, 657,790 PVCs are not yet collected by registered voters in the state, adding that Oyo State is the second state with the largest number of abandoned PVCs.

“Out of this number, Oke-Ogun zone has 107,068 PVCs yet to be collected and the number spread across the 10 local government areas zone,” he stated.

Agboke also said that the commission had registered 538,704 new voters during the just concluded Continuous Voters Registration(CVR).

He, however,warned that double/multiple registrations would attract sanction from the commission, saying culprits might lose the chance to participate in the general elections.

Mr Yekeen Abolade, the Chairman of Iseyin Local Government, who spoke on behalf of the other council chairmen in the zone, expressed willingness to sensitise residents of the area against vote buying or selling.

Abolade also assured INEC of their readiness to collaborate with the commission to ensure that owners of the unclaimed PVCs eventually go to collect them.

He urged the commission to sustain its neutrality as an electoral umpire.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oke-Ogun zone comprises Kajola, Iseyin, Kishi, Iwere-ile, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Orelope, Olorunsogo and Itesiwaju local government areas.(NAN)
DAK/OSA/IA
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Idris Abdulrahman

University

By Yinusa Ishola
Omu-Aran (Kwara) Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) Most Rev. Samuel Abidoye, the Spiritual Leader of Cherubim and Seraphim, says the Church will ensure completion of  its proposed  Orimolade University in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of  Kwara State.

Abidoye made the pledge when he paid homage to Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, the new Olomu of Omu-Aran, in the state.

The cleric said the Church was doing its best toward the timely completion of the proposed University under construction in the community.

“Work is steadily going on at the project site,” Abidoye said.

He said the Church had a reputation for  promoting quality education and building standard  educational institutions.

Abidoye said the Orimolade University would not be an exception on completion.

He also felicitated  with the new monarch over his recent appointment, praying  for his  successful reign.

The spiritual leader praised  the traditional council and other stakeholders for  ensuring a peaceful succession.

Earlier, Oba Adeoti appealed to the Church leadership to expedite action on the university in the community.

He expressed displeasure at the slow pace of work on the project.

The monarch, however, praised the Church leadership for considering the community worthy of the laudable project

According to him, the community’s donation of land for the university is its demonstration of support toward the project, and it was prepared to do more.

He said the student population from more than 20 secondary schools would be more than enough for the university.

“The success story of the Landmark University is another testimony to the capacity of the town to accommodate many more tertiary institutions,” Adeoti said. (NAN)

ISHO/OSA/SOA

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Oluwole Sogunle

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Tuberculosis

By :Yashim Katurak

Abuja, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that World leaders on Wednesday pledged their commitment to ensure that at least 40 million people with Tuberculosis (TB) would receive required treatment by 2022.

Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, said in a statement by the organization, that the leaders also agreed to provide 30 million people with preventive treatment to protect them from developing TB.

Ghebreyesus said that the pledge was made by the world leaders at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s first-ever High-Level Meeting on the fight against TB which held in New York on Sept. 26.

He said that the meeting held to accelerate efforts in ending TB and reach all affected people with prevention and care.

“Heads of state and government attending this first-ever UN High-level meeting on TB also agreed to mobilise $13 billion a year, by 2022 to implement TB prevention and care and $2 billion for research.

“They committed to take firm action against drug-resistant forms of the disease, build accountability and prioritise human rights issues such as the stigma that still prevails around TB in many parts of the world.

“They acknowledged that the current rate of progress was endangering prospects of meeting global targets to end TB.

“Today, TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease; it killed 1.6 million people in 2017 including 300, 000 people with HIV. In the same year, 10 million people fell ill with TB.

“This day is, therefore, a landmark in the long war on TB. These are bold promises and to keep them in partnership is vital. WHO is committed to working with every country, every partner and every community to get the job done,” Ghebreyesus said.

Ms Maria Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, said that the political declaration proposed for the meeting set a roadmap for accelerated action to end TB in line with the vision and targets for 2030.

Garcés said that the commitment made by the world leaders was therefore an opportunity to achieve this roadmap as it gave the chance to save the lives of millions and to preserve billions in resources.

She said that it was also an opportunity to demonstrate the success of the Sustainable Development Goals and to reaffirm the utility, efficacy and necessity of multilateralism and the UN System.

She urged the organisation, governments and other relevant bodies and partners not to miss the opportunity.

The theme for the UN General Assembly  is: “United to End Tuberculosis: An Urgent Global Response to a Global Epidemic.” (NAN)

KRY/OOA/IA

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Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Idris Abdulrahman